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The government is now partially shut down, as Democrats lock horns with the GOP over I.C.E. funding. Detractors of the move say the action is nothing more than political theatre, as I.C.E. is not affected by the move and funding is guaranteed for the rest of the year. Still, many observers are worried the Democrats will turn down any overtures to fully re-open the government until at least the conclusion of the State of the Union address, which President Trump is slated to deliver on February 24th. Is the public posturing worth the risk? Jon Decker is WOR’s White House correspondent and will be in the Capitol when President Trump delivers his speech on the nation’s plotted course. He appeared on 710 WOR to discuss the soundness of the strategy.
Decker addressed concerns by host Larry Mendte about whether Democrats intend to prolong the partial shutdown until Trump delivers the State of the Union: “I have heard that. Certainly, that would draw attention to the issues that the Democrats have. I have also heard what President Trump has said in response to that idea, and he’s full speed ahead. He’s delivering a State of the Union address exactly one week from today, regardless of whether the Democrats are in the chamber or not, so you can circle that date on the calendar. I’ll be in the House Chamber for that speech.”
Decker also discussed whether Democrat plans to continue the shutdown or boycott the speech en masse would be worth the risk of alienating voters in November: “They need to come to some meeting of the minds, a compromise… The main job, I think, of Congress when they come to Washington is just to keep government going, you know. They’re doing the opposite of that, which could, you know, potentially hurt Democrats in the mid-term election.”
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